CATHERINE DE MEDICI; born in Flor ence in 1519. She married the Duke of Orleans, who became Henry II. of France, and her children were Francis II., Charles IX., Henry III., and Marguerite of Va lois. Catherine de Medici was Queen Regent of France from 1560 to 1563. She died in Blois, Jan. 5, 1589. ALESSAN DRO, proclaimed duke of Florence in 1532, was stabbed by his relative Lorenzino, after poisoning his cousin Hippolytus, 1537. LORENZINO, murderer of Alessan dro, was assassinated at Venice by order of Cosmo I., 1548. Cosmo I., called "The Great," Duke of Florence, and Grand Duke of Tuscany, was the son of Gio vanni, the "Invincible," descended from Lorenzo, and was born June 11, 1519. He was raised to power by the influence of Charles V., and abdicated in favor of his son, 1564. In 1569 he became Grand Duke of Tuscany, and died April 21, 1574. FRANCESCO MARIA, son and successor of Cosmo (1541-1587), and left only a daughter, MARIE DE MEDICI, born in Flo rence, April 26, 1573. She became queen
consort of Henry IV. of France. She died in Cologne July 3, 1642. FERDI NAND° I., brother and successor of Fran cesco, was also cardinal and Grand-Duke of Tuscany, 1551-1609. CosMo II., son and successor of Ferdinando I., 1590 1621. FERIn/sTANDO II., son and successor of Cosmo II., 1610-1670. Cosmo III., son and successor of Ferdinando II., 1642 1723. GIOVANNI GASTON, son and suc cessor of the latter, was the last of the Medici who reigned over Tuscany, being compelled to abdicate and make way for Francis II., Duke of Lorraine, by the great Powers. He flourished 1671-1737. His daughter, ANNA, wife of John Wil liam, elector-palatine, was the last of the family. She died in 1743.